Fun times ahead

(Date of issue: Monday, 20 July 2009)

From today (Monday, 20 July), children and young people of all ages will be able to sample a wide-range of fun Summer holiday activities, courtesy of Carlisle City Council. This year’s activities include:

· Playschemes based in rural community buildings over a four-week period, aimed at 6 to 13 year olds. The free playschemes start next Monday (27July) and will operate between 10.30am and 3pm (anyone planning to stay all day, is advised to bring a packed lunch);

· Four weeks of Parkschemes will be held in local parks and school fields. Activities are aimed at all ages and will be held between 10.30am and 3pm (anyone planning to stay all day, is advised to bring a packed lunch);

· Multi-Use Games Area activities. Free activities will be staged in Melbourne Park, Botcherby; Dale End Road, Harraby; Hammond’s Pond, Upperby; Heysham Park, Raffles and Dowbeck park off Dowbeck road. Activities will take place between Monday, 20 July and Wednesday, 14 August and are open to all the family. Telephone 01228 817371 for further information;

· Star:Track – a nation-wide scheme run in partnership with UK Athletics which provides top level coaching to 7 to 12 year olds. This will run between 10am and 1pm on Monday, 20 to Wednesday, 22 July at The Sheepmount. The scheme is fully booked;

· Go 4 It – an exciting sports programme which offers a wide-range of action-packed activities. Activities include tennis, Street Dance, Boxing, Squash, and Judo amongst other things. Events are aimed at 5 to 17 year olds. The activities programme starts on Tuesday, 20 July and carries on until Sunday 16 August. Places are still available. Telephone 01228 817581 for further information. Places are still available; and

· Basketball camp – aimed at children aged between 8 and 16 years old, the event will be staged between Tuesday 28 July and Thursday 30 July 2009 at the University of Cumbria’s Fusehill Street Campus between 10am and 3pm each day. For further information telephone 01228 817581. Places are still available.

National Playday will be also celebrated by the City Council in partnership with a range of other organisations on Wednesday, 5 August, when lots of exciting and challenging activities will be on offer providing free fun and information for all ages in Bitts Park, Tullie House and The Sands Centre. A ‘Skate Jam’ will be also be held on the same day for young people of all ages at Devonshire Walk skate park.